International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives

At the invitation of the Society for Anglo Chiense Understanding (SACU), the delegation of the International Committee for Chinese Industrial Cooperatives (ICCIC) visited the UK from September 26^th - 30^th , 2018. SACU was founded in May 1965 by Dr. Joseph Needham, an old friend of the Chinese people and a famous modern biochemist, the society has made an indelible contribution to the development of Sino-British relations. Britain is the hometown of George Hogg, one of the key players in the Gung Ho Movement. In President Xi Jinping’s speech at a welcome dinner hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, on October 20, 2015, he specifically referred to George Hogg (George Aylwin Hogg): "We will not forget that Britain has provided valuable economic and moral assistance to China. A British journalist named Hogg, who actively participated in the Chinese People's anti-Japanese war, not only exposed the atrocities of the Japanese invaders, but also served as the headmaster of a school in Shuangshipu, in Shaanxi province.

On this trip, the ICCIC delegation followed the footsteps of Hogg in pursuit of the deeply moving stories. On the morning of September 27, the delegation, accompanied by George Hogg's niece Vanessa Dingley and grean nephew Peter Jarvis, came to Hogg's alma mater - St. George's School in Harpenden, where the headmaster introduced us to the basic situation of the school and displayed some Hogg letters. At the school gate there hung a "Confucius Institute" plaque, and the school's holds "China Day" activities, these show students' love of Chinese language and culture, and we felt deeply that the George Hogg’s story of Sino-British friendship has not faded with the passage of time, but in the new generation of young students become more rich. In the school we saw lists of the outstanding students, and George Hogg's name impressively prominent in the eye, perhaps foretelling that this excellent teenager will create a hero legend. After that, the delegation visited former residences of Georege Hogg, where Hogg was born and grew up. At noon, as warm sunshine fell on our faces of inquiry, eager to explore the history, we listened to Vanessa recall the stories from early years, and felt warm in the bottom of our hearts.

On the afternoon of September 27, the delegation came to the Needham Research Centre at Cambridge University, which was founded by Dr Joseph Needham in the 80 's to study or support the history of East Asian Science, technology and medicine. Since its inception, it has promoted research into the history of China's science and technology and made a great contribution to world understanding of the subject. John Moffett, director of the Needham Research Centre Library, speaking fluent Chinese, explained the history of the Centre. Dr. Needham and Rewi Alley met in China in the war and became lifelong friends. In the Centre we saw a display of Dr. Joseph Needham photographs and preserved pictures and a lot of valuable information, the familiar Gung Ho logo, his correspondence with the Rewi Alley, Gung Ho factories, these yellow old photos let us wander in the river of memories, and witness the glory of the past.

On the morning of September 28, accompanied by ICCIC members Jenny Clegg, Vice President of SACU, the delegation came to the birthplace of the modern co-operative society - the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, near Manchester, now a museum. Manchester is the hometown of the Industrial Revolution. Here Engels made invetiagtions and wrote "Condition of the Working Class in England", later became an important casis on qwhich Marx wrote "Capital". The buildings and canals on the streets are telling people about the history of changing human destiny, where they can find historical sites in the museum, and feel the charm and passion of the city. Ms. Kate of the Pioneer Museum introduced us to the birth and development of cooperatives. That was the core of the British Industrial Revolution. Average life expectancy for workers was only 21 years, the market sold food which was frequently adulterated, and short weight was common. The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers was founded on December 21, 1844 by 28 workers, the main business being to sell genuine flour, butter, sugar, candles and other daily necessities to members. The basic principles of the then cooperatives: 1, open membership, 2, democratic management, 3, distribution of surplus by turnover, 4, interest on equity, 5, political and religious neutrality, 6, cash transactions, 7, promotion of member education. With the change of economy, society and the environment of the times, the International Cooperative Alliance has made many changes and adjustments to the basic principles of cooperatives, but has always adhered to the basic spirit of the principle of Rochdeale. In the cause of co-operative promotion, the ICCIC has also adhered to the seven basic principles of cooperatives and made a modest contribution to the standardization development of cooperatives.

On the afternoon of September 28, the delegation came to the Cooperative College in Manchester, Dean Simon Parkinson gave an account of the college, Nigel Todd from the Workers ' Education Association, Rebecca Harvey, Co-op Press Executive Editor, British cooperative researcher Michaelle attended the discussion. Chairman Michael Crook of ICCIC introduced the history of Gung HO and ICCIC , and Liu Guozhong, Deputy Secretary-General briefed on the efforts made by the ICCIC in promoting the development of cooperatives. The participants exchanged experiences on the development of Sino-British cooperatives, and how the operating mode of the cooperative college could be adapted for China.

After returning to London that evening, we also had a light meal with our group members - Frances Wood ,Vice-Preseident of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding (SACU), members Reg Hunt, Michael Sherringham asnd wife Susu, and our British member Nikki Crook, enjoyed the meal and discussed friendly cooperation. During the visit, the delegation also met with some members of SACU in Manchester and London, to talk about friendship. Walter Fung presented us with the catalogue "China Eye", which is a window of the society which introduces to members and the British public a variety of knowledge and information about Chinese customs, science and education, and so on.

The Society also organizes various activities to introduce China, rich and vivid in content, helping British people understand China. September 29, the delegation came to Oxford University Wadham College, where George Hogg had studied. The college was built in 1609, located in the city center of Oxford, with a strong academic programme. The students study, play, engage in music and sports in a beautiful and classical campus which tells the story of the past, quiet environment conducive to clear thinking, and urge people to forge ahead, pregnant with immortal legend.

Having bid farewell to Wadham College, the delegation's visit to the UK drew to an end. We believe that this will be another starting point of spiritual heritage. The Gung Ho movement came into being in the precarious, time of war, through the efforts and expectations of Chinese and foreign friends. Carrying on the legacy is the best way for us to pay back for their sacrefces. Geroge Hogg with his extraordinary deeds, wrote a chapter in the sotry of Sino-British Friendship. The ICCIC will continue to work to promote Sino-British friendly exchanges. Both China and Britain have a long history and splendid culture, and in the new situation, it is of great significance to enhance the exchanges between the two countries and to promote the exchange between China and Britain and to enhance the friendship between the two peoples.

The Needham Research Centre at Cambridge University – Viewing archival material

A discussion at the Cooperative College, Michael Crook gives a brief account of the history of Gung Ho and ICCIC